Happy New Year, dear readers of Vestnik Kavkaza! Our collective would like to congratulate you on the upcoming holiday and wishes you only good news in 2015, joy, well-being and success in all activities. As usual, we will continue covering political, economic, social, cultural and sports events of the Greater Caucasus, Russia and neigbour states in 2015.
2014 has been a year full of events that changed the region. The Euromaidan started in 2013 resulted in a coup d'etat in Ukraine, annexation of Crimea by Russia, war in Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia has become a target of political and economic attacks from the U.S., EU and their allies for its policy in Ukraine. Russia banned imports of food from the countries that had adopted sanctions. Russia has declared the course for import displacement again.
Western states have recently been criticizing Azerbaijan for its harsher measures against members of NGOs, labeling them as Western agents. August-November was a period highlighted by many events around the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Azerbaijani and Armenian presidents had three meetings in Sochi, Wales and Paris.
Georgia and Armenia have concluded integration into economic organizations. Georgia signed an EU Association Agreement, Armenia changed its mind on signing a similar agreement at the very last second and decided to join the Eurasian Union. Azerbaijan continues development of bilateral relations with foreign partners, especially Russia.
ISIS has become a new threat on the world map. The new terrorist organization has taken over large territories in Syria and Iraq. Experts say that air raids organized by the international coalition are not enough to stop it.
Another challenge is the situation on the oil market. Drastic extraction of shale oil in the U.S. has caused excess of oil on the market, almost halving the prices. Oil exporters have experienced budget deficits as a result.
The planet is entering a new year with a load of unresolved problems. The work of everyone of us will decide whether the political and economic conflicts in the Caucasus and the world as a whole find solutions.
Peace to you, friends, and until next year!
